Media centre

Thursday 11 Aug 2005

BROWNIE POINTS EARNED AT LONDON BRIDGE

Region & Route:

| Southern

Kent Commuters will soon start to notice a visual improvement to their journeys as Network Rail gets the paint out.  For the last two weeks a 14 man team has launched a blitz on the ugly graffiti which defaces the walls, bridges and safety equipment alongside the railway between London Bridge and New Cross in South East London.  Dave Ward, Network Rail Route Director said:  “Graffiti on the railway is a serious problem and one we’re determined to tackle.  The vandals who have daubed the graffiti on this stretch of line would have had to scale walls, walk over electrified track and dodge fast moving trains, putting themselves in serious danger.  The railway around London Bridge has long attracted graffiti and the work we are doing this week will make the environment a lot more pleasant for both rail passengers and staff.” The team have been repainting a two mile stretch of track on the ‘down line’ between London Bridge and New Cross this week.  Bridges and walls alongside the track have been painted brown to deter graffiti vandals while other trackside equipment is being re-painted grey.  Network Rail will also be targeting other graffiti hotspots in South East London in the coming months. Dave Ward added: “Once the work is complete we will be monitoring it closely and will do everything we can to ensure any graffiti vandals who revisit the area are caught, prosecuted and brought to justice.”